MLA Centre Director

Title

Centre Director (Residential)

Residential, Full-Time

Operations Manager

June 22nd to August 1st 2026

Possibility of extension in some centres

United Kingdom

London King’s, London Uxbridge, Reading, Guildford, Worcester, Dover, Oxford, Edinburgh

Move Language Ahead is committed to providing industry leading safe, educational, and cultural programmes to students from around the world. Students, families, and agents from around the world have chosen MLA for the quality of our language courses, for the established trust of our brand, and for the meticulous attention to detail in our packages. The MLA formula for a summer centre is a unique blend of many full-day and half-day excursions, an amazing activity programme and specialised language path.

In this way we have broken the barriers of the traditional summer language course.

MLA is committed to the welfare and safeguarding of children, young people and adults  students should expect to feel safe within all areas of our seasonal programme. The primary concern at all times is the interests and safety of each student and the organisation takes all reasonable steps to protect children from harm, discrimination or degrading treatment and to uphold their rights.

MLA staff working with young learners will all go through our safer recruitment process including online or face-to-face interviews, record checks of references and background checks, in line with the country’s regulations, to ensure they are able to work with young people, provide evidence of qualifications and work experience as part of the process and according to our Safeguarding Policy, Preventing Sexual Harassment and Prevent Policy.

Responsible for the activity and excursion programme for international students and for the Activity Leaders. The Centre Director is the senior on-site manager responsible for the overall leadership, coordination, and successful delivery of the MLA Move Language Ahead Summer Programme at an assigned centre.

• Full‑time summer employment from mid‑June – mid‑August
• Responsible for the overall management of the ESL summer camp programming
• Represent MLA values
• Reports to Operations Manager
• 6 working days per week
• 1 day off per week
• Residential employment includes all meals and accommodation

Possibility of extension in some centres (starting in June and/or finishing mid‑August)

The Centre Director provides strategic and operational leadership to all centre staff and acts as the primary point of contact between MLA Head Office, students, staff, host institutions, and external stakeholders. This role is critical to ensuring a safe, enriching, and high‑quality educational and cultural experience for international students.

• Must have a UK passport/right to work in the UK, and a valid DBS (England & Wales) or PVG (Scotland). If you’re based outside the UK, also a Criminal Record Check from your country of residence
• Proven suitability to work with students under 18: at least 2 references
• Be proficient in the use of IT
• Experience working with international students and multicultural teams
• Experience liaising with host institutions or accommodation providers
• Knowledge of safeguarding legislation and best practice

• Summer School experience in the UK or in Ireland
• Proven experience in a senior management role within a summer school, international education, or residential programme
• Prior experience overseeing a strict operating budget
• First Aid certificate
• Teaching, academic management, or EFL/ESL background
• Demonstrated experience in safeguarding, student welfare, and pastoral care

• Strong leadership and people‑management skills
• Excellent organisational and problem‑solving abilities
• Ability to manage complex operations in a fast‑paced, high‑pressure environment
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• High level of professionalism, resilience, and flexibility
• Ability to develop positive relationships with students, earning their trust whilst maintaining proper professional boundaries
• Ability to establish excellent relationships with our…